U.S. FWS
Environmental Conservation Online System
Conserving the Nature of America

Recovery Plan Action Status

Plan Name: North Atlantic Right Whale Recovery Plan
Plan Status: Final
Plan Date: 21-May-10
Lead Agency: NMFS
Lead Office: ( () )
Species Action Priority # Action # Action Description Action Status Est. Initiation Date Est. Completion Date Responsible Parties Work Type Labor Type Action Comments Implementation Activities
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 1 1.1 Reduce ship collisions with right whales Ongoing Current National Marine Fisheries Service Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 1 1.1.1 Develop and implement a ship strike reduction strategy Complete United States Coast Guard , National Marine Fisheries Service Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 1 1.1.10 Collect standardized data during aerial surveys on ¿close calls¿ between ships and whales Ongoing Current National Marine Fisheries Service , States Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 1 1.1.11 Assess the utility and feasibility of ship routing changes in right whale habitat. Complete Northeast Implementation Team for Recovery of North Atlantic Right Whale, United States Coast Guard , National Marine Fisheries Service , Southeastern Right Whale Recovery Plan Implementation Team, Canada Department of Fisheries and Oceans, States, Marine Mammal Commission Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 1 1.1.12 Assess the utility and feasibility of speed restrictions in right whale habitat. Ongoing Current Northeast Implementation Team for Recovery of North Atlantic Right Whale, United States Coast Guard , National Marine Fisheries Service , Southeastern Right Whale Recovery Plan Implementation Team, Canada Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Marine Mammal Commission Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 2 1.1.13 Conduct risk assessment analyses of various ship routing or speed options to assess best set of vessel traffic management options by area. Complete Northeast Implementation Team for Recovery of North Atlantic Right Whale, United States Coast Guard , National Marine Fisheries Service , Southeastern Right Whale Recovery Plan Implementation Team, Canada Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Marine Mammal Commission Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 3 1.1.14 Assess the potential economic impact of vessel management options. Complete Northeast Implementation Team for Recovery of North Atlantic Right Whale, United States Coast Guard , National Marine Fisheries Service , Southeastern Right Whale Recovery Plan Implementation Team, Canada Department of Fisheries and Oceans Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 1 1.1.15 Work with mariners, the shipping industry, and appropriate State and Federal agencies to develop and implement a regionally-based set of measures to reduce the threat of ship strikes. Complete Northeast Implementation Team for Recovery of North Atlantic Right Whale, United States Coast Guard , National Marine Fisheries Service , Southeastern Right Whale Recovery Plan Implementation Team Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 1 1.1.16 Assess the effectiveness of ship strike measures and adjust, as necessary. Ongoing Current Northeast Implementation Team for Recovery of North Atlantic Right Whale, United States Coast Guard , National Marine Fisheries Service , Southeastern Right Whale Recovery Plan Implementation Team Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 2 1.1.17 Establish regionally-based liaison positions to work directly with the shipping industry. Ongoing Current Northeast Implementation Team for Recovery of North Atlantic Right Whale, United States Coast Guard , National Marine Fisheries Service , Southeastern Right Whale Recovery Plan Implementation Team, States Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 2 1.1.18 Develop programs and update materials to educate mariners about right whales and recommended practices for avoiding ship strikes, Make provisions for ongoing distribution of materials. Ongoing Current Northeast Implementation Team for Recovery of North Atlantic Right Whale, United States Coast Guard , National Marine Fisheries Service , U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Southeastern Right Whale Recovery Plan Implementation Team, States Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 2 1.1.19 Review and update information about right whale habitat and high-use areas, vulnerability to ship strikes, and ship collision reduction measures on nautical charts, Coast Pilots, Notice to Mariners, and other navigational aids. Ongoing Current United States Coast Guard , National Marine Fisheries Service , Canada Department of Fisheries and Oceans, National Ocean Service, USGS National Imagery and Mapping Agency Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 1 1.1.2 Continue seasonal aircraft surveillance of right whale habitats and other elements of the ¿early warning system¿ program. Ongoing Current United States Navy , United States Coast Guard , National Marine Fisheries Service , U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, States Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 1 1.1.20 Continue to implement mandatory ship reporting systems along the east coast of the United States. Complete United States Coast Guard , National Marine Fisheries Service Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 2 1.1.21 Use incoming information from the reporting system for analysis of ship volume and routing studies to assess measures to reduce ship/whale interactions. Ongoing Current National Marine Fisheries Service Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 1 1.12.16 Identify and implement ways to improve disentanglement efforts. Ongoing Current National Marine Fisheries Service , States Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 2 1.1.22 Assess the effectiveness of existing ship reporting systems and reporting areas. Ongoing Current United States Coast Guard , National Marine Fisheries Service Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 2 1.1.23 Monitor compliance with the mandatory ship reporting system and take steps to improve compliance as necessary. Ongoing Current Northeast Implementation Team for Recovery of North Atlantic Right Whale, United States Coast Guard , National Marine Fisheries Service , Southeastern Right Whale Recovery Plan Implementation Team Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 2 1.1.24 Continue and improve outreach efforts to educate the shipping community about the mandatory ship reporting system. Ongoing Current United States Coast Guard , National Marine Fisheries Service , Southeastern Right Whale Recovery Plan Implementation Team Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 1 1.1.25 Conduct studies of active and passive acoustic devices to determine their feasibility and efficiency in detecting submerged whales. Ongoing Current United States Navy , National Marine Fisheries Service Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 1 1.1.26 Implement systems to use technological devices to reduce ship/whale interactions if they are capable of detecting submerged whales, Conduct studies to assess acoustic pollution impact on marine mammals. Ongoing Current United States Navy , National Marine Fisheries Service Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 2 1.1.27 Assess the utility of such devices on large scales. Ongoing Current United States Navy , National Marine Fisheries Service , National Ocean Service Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 3 1.1.28 Conduct studies of whale behavior relative to various types of ¿alerting¿ sounds that may warn sleeping, feeding, or courting whales to the presence of oncoming ships. Ongoing Current United States Navy , National Marine Fisheries Service Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 2 1.1.29 Assess the feasibility of improved visual detection technologies. Ongoing Current United States Navy , National Marine Fisheries Service Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 2 1.1.30 Assess the feasibility and utility of using remote sensing to characterize right whale distribution patterns. Ongoing Current United States Navy , National Marine Fisheries Service , National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service, National Ocean Service Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 2 1.1.31 Conduct GIS analysis of whale/ship interactions. Ongoing Current Northeast Implementation Team for Recovery of North Atlantic Right Whale, National Marine Fisheries Service , Southeastern Right Whale Recovery Plan Implementation Team, National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service, States Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 2 1.1.32 Establish or use existing GIS to (a) conduct analysis of right whale occurrence and distribution, (b) prepare predictive models of occurrence, (c) determine right whale and ship traffic overlap, (d) analyze patterns of strandings, whale/vessel interactions, and ¿near-miss incidents¿; and (e) assess ways to minimize ship/whale interactions. Ongoing Current United States Navy , National Marine Fisheries Service , National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service, States, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 3 1.1.33 Identify, and obtain data from, additional sources for GIS application and analysis. Ongoing Current Northeast Implementation Team for Recovery of North Atlantic Right Whale, National Marine Fisheries Service , Southeastern Right Whale Recovery Plan Implementation Team, National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service, States, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 1 1.1.34 Conduct studies of whale responses to ship noise and to ships of various types and speeds using benign techniques. Ongoing Not Current United States Navy , National Marine Fisheries Service Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 2 1.1.35 Continue to review and evaluate stranding and photo-identification data for evidence of collision between ships and whales. Ongoing Current National Marine Fisheries Service , States Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 1 1.1.4 Notify individual ships directly when their course is likely to bring them to or near a location where a whale was sighted by the aircraft. Ongoing Current United States Navy , United States Coast Guard , National Marine Fisheries Service , States Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 2 1.1.5 Assess the effectiveness and efficiency of the survey programs in attaining the primary goal of reducing ship strikes. Ongoing Current Northeast Implementation Team for Recovery of North Atlantic Right Whale, States, National Marine Fisheries Service , Southeastern Right Whale Recovery Plan Implementation Team Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 2 1.1.6 Standardize surveys and data collection to ensure data obtained from the surveys are of maximum use. Ongoing Current National Marine Fisheries Service , Southeastern Right Whale Recovery Plan Implementation Team, States Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 2 1.1.7 Establish a program for regular and timely analysis of aircraft survey data. Ongoing Current National Marine Fisheries Service , States Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 1 1.1.8 Use acoustic detection technology, surveys, and other technologies to monitor right whale occurrence and distribution in the mid-Atlantic United States. Ongoing Current National Marine Fisheries Service , States Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 2 1.1.9 Develop a system to encourage, collect, and appropriately analyze opportunistic sightings from fishing vessels, whalewatching vessels, charter vessels, etc. Ongoing Current National Marine Fisheries Service , States Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 1 1.2 Reducing Fishing Gear Entanglement Ongoing Current National Marine Fisheries Service Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 1 1.2.1 Develop and implement strategies to modify fishing operations and gear to reduce the likelihood of entanglement, mitigate the effects of entanglements, and enhance the possibility of disentanglement, and assess the effectiveness of such strategies. Ongoing Current United States Coast Guard , National Marine Fisheries Service , Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Team, States Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 2 1.2.10 Continue to review, evaluate, and act upon reports from fishermen and fishery observers of fishery interactions with right whales. Ongoing Current United States Coast Guard , National Marine Fisheries Service , States Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 2 1.2.11 If evaluations indicate that reporting can/should be improved, implement improved systems for reporting. Ongoing Current National Marine Fisheries Service , Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Team, States Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 1 1.2.12 When possible and practicable in terms of safety, disentangle whales caught in fishing gear. Ongoing Current United States Coast Guard , National Marine Fisheries Service Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 1 1.2.13 Create and maintain regional disentanglement equipment caches and make appropriate arrangements to get disentangling teams and equipment to entangled whales. Ongoing Current United States Coast Guard , National Marine Fisheries Service Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 1 1.2.14 Develop and train additional disentanglement response teams. Ongoing Current National Marine Fisheries Service , Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Team Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 1 1.2.15 Design and conduct studies on advanced disentanglement gear. Ongoing Current National Marine Fisheries Service Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 1 1.2.17 Monitor entanglement-related survival and mortality rates. Ongoing Current National Marine Fisheries Service , States Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 1 1.2.18 Determine whether measures to reduce entanglement are effective. Ongoing Current National Marine Fisheries Service Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 1 1.2.19 Identify and implement steps to improve protective measures. Ongoing Current National Marine Fisheries Service Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 2 1.2.20 Review and evaluate stranding and photo-identification data to monitor interactions with fishing gear and effectiveness of mitigation measures. Ongoing Current National Marine Fisheries Service Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 1 1.2.3 Work with Canadian officials to develop means to reduce entanglement levels in Canadian waters. Ongoing Current FY 2012 U.S. Department of State, National Marine Fisheries Service Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 1 1.2.4 Conduct studies of gear modifications that reduce the likelihood of entanglement. Ongoing Current FY 2012 National Marine Fisheries Service , Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Team, States Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 1 1.2.5 Design and implement programs to incorporate gear modifications that reduce entanglement into the fisheries operations. Ongoing Current National Marine Fisheries Service , States Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 1 1.2.7 Continue to prepare and distribute information on whale entanglement to fishermen and other mariners. Ongoing Current FY 2012 United States Coast Guard , National Marine Fisheries Service , Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Team, States Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 1 1.2.8 Continue, expand, and improve, procedures for responding to reports of entangled whales. Ongoing Current FY 2012 United States Coast Guard , National Marine Fisheries Service , Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Team, States Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 1 1.3 Continue and Improve Education and Outreach Programs Ongoing Current FY 2012 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 1 1.3.1 Continue and expand efforts to educate shipping and fishing industries about right whale vulnerability to ship strikes and fishing gear entanglement. Ongoing Current FY 2012 Northeast Implementation Team for Recovery of North Atlantic Right Whale, United States Navy , United States Coast Guard , National Marine Fisheries Service , Southeastern Right Whale Recovery Plan Implementation Team, National Ocean Service, States Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 2 1.3.3 Use voyage planning and merchant mariner qualification and licensing programs to raise awareness regarding right whale conservation. Ongoing Not Current Northeast Implementation Team for Recovery of North Atlantic Right Whale, United States Coast Guard , National Marine Fisheries Service Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 1 1.4 Enforcement Ongoing Current National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 1 1.4.1 Continue and improve programs to ensure that fishing and shipping regulations are enforced. Ongoing Current FY 2012 United States Coast Guard , National Marine Fisheries Service , States Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 2 1.4.2 Review and assess the efficacy of the enforcement programs and take steps to improve the enforcement measures if deficiencies are identified. Ongoing Current FY 2012 United States Coast Guard , National Marine Fisheries Service Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 2 3.1 Characterize and Monitor Right Whale Habitat Ongoing Current National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 2 3.1.1 Compile or collect data to characterize important habitat features and potential sources of human-caused destruction and degradation of critical habitats. Ongoing Current FY 2012 National Marine Fisheries Service , National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service, National Ocean Service Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 2 3.1.2 Monitor human activities to assess potential right whale habitat degradation. Ongoing Current FY 2012 Northeast Implementation Team for Recovery of North Atlantic Right Whale, National Marine Fisheries Service , U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Southeastern Right Whale Recovery Plan Implementation Team, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation, and Enforcement, States Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 2 3.1.3 Monitor essential habitat features to assess potentially detrimental shifts in these features. Ongoing Current FY 2012 National Marine Fisheries Service , States Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 1 3.1.4 Develop, implement, and monitor habitat protection strategies. Ongoing Current FY 2012 National Marine Fisheries Service , U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation, and Enforcement, States Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 2 3.1.5 Monitor right whale habitat use patterns to assess shifts that might reflect disturbance or degradation of habitat. Ongoing Current FY 2012 National Marine Fisheries Service , National Ocean Service, States Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 2 3.1.6 Conduct comparative studies to more accurately characterize critical habitats. Ongoing Current FY 2012 National Marine Fisheries Service Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 2 3.1.7 Collaborate with Canadian authorities to protect important habitats and essential habitat features in Canadian waters. Ongoing Current FY 2012 U.S. Department of State, National Marine Fisheries Service , Canada Department of Fisheries and Oceans Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 2 3.1.8 Support Canadian efforts to protect known right whale habitat in Canada. Ongoing Current FY 2012 National Marine Fisheries Service , Canada Department of Fisheries and Oceans Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 2 3.2 Assess the need for modifying critical habitat boundaries. Ongoing Not Current FY 2012 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 2 3.2.1 Analyze available data and collect additonal whale sighting data to assess the modification of critical habitat boundaries. Ongoing Current FY 2012 Northeast Implementation Team for Recovery of North Atlantic Right Whale, National Marine Fisheries Service , Southeastern Right Whale Recovery Plan Implementation Team, States Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 2 3.2.2 Revise critical habitat boundaries, if warranted. Ongoing Current FY 2012 National Marine Fisheries Service , States Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 2 3.3.1 Conduct studies to determine the effects of coastal development activities on the distribution, behavior, and productivity of right whales. Ongoing Current Northeast Implementation Team for Recovery of North Atlantic Right Whale, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, States, National Marine Fisheries Service , Southeastern Right Whale Recovery Plan Implementation Team Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 3 3.3.10 Monitor efforts to implement right whale-related protection measures in approved oil and gas exploration and development plans. Ongoing Current National Marine Fisheries Service , Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation, and Enforcement Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 3 3.3.12 Conduct studies to assess the short- and long-term effects of whale-watching on right whales, notably with regard to high-speed vessels Obsolete National Marine Fisheries Service , States Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 3 3.3.13 Assess the effectiveness of existing restrictions on whale watching activities. Obsolete National Marine Fisheries Service , States Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 1 3.3.14 Continue and expand education/public awareness programs to ensure that commercial and recreational vessel operators are aware of applicable regulations and guidelines. Ongoing Current FY 2012 Northeast Implementation Team for Recovery of North Atlantic Right Whale, United States Coast Guard , National Marine Fisheries Service , Southeastern Right Whale Recovery Plan Implementation Team, National Ocean Service, States Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 2 3.3.2 Minimize identified adverse effects from coastal development, as feasible. Ongoing Current National Marine Fisheries Service , U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 3 3.3.3 Conduct studies to assess the effects of anthropogenic noise on the distribution, behavior, and productivity of right whales. Ongoing Current United States Navy , National Marine Fisheries Service Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 2 3.3.7 Conduct studies of individual health and body condition. Ongoing Current National Marine Fisheries Service Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 2 3.4 Conduct studies to improve knowledge of the diet, food requirements, feeding habits, and food resources of right whales. Ongoing Current National Marine Fisheries Service Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 2 3.4.1 Compile and evaluate information on the known types, amounts, locations, and availability of right whale prey. Ongoing Current National Marine Fisheries Service Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 2 3.4.2 Review and refine energetic models to better understand right whale food requirements and feeding strategies. Ongoing Current National Marine Fisheries Service Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 1 4.1 Develop quantitative recovery criteria population models to determine extinction risk. Ongoing Current National Marine Fisheries Service Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 2 4.3 Assess population size, survival rate and trends on a regular basis. Ongoing Current Northeast Implementation Team for Recovery of North Atlantic Right Whale, National Marine Fisheries Service , Southeastern Right Whale Recovery Plan Implementation Team Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 2 4.3.1 Review and evaluate the status of the North Atlantic right whale at least once every three years. Continue to review stock assessment at least annually in accordance with the MMPA. If needed, improve data collection and analysis methods. Ongoing Current National Marine Fisheries Service Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 1 4.4 Monitor right whale occurrence and habitat use patterns in known high-use areas. Ongoing Current National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 1 4.4.1 Continue to conduct annual winter surveys for right whales off the southeast U.S. coast. Ongoing Current United States Navy , United States Coast Guard , National Marine Fisheries Service , U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, States Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 2 4.4.10 Continue to maintain a database of right whale sightings. Ongoing Current National Marine Fisheries Service Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 1 4.4.2 Continue to conduct annual summer surveys for right whales in the lower Bay of Fundy. Ongoing Current National Marine Fisheries Service , Canada Department of Fisheries and Oceans Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 1 4.4.3 Continue annual spring surveys for right whales in the Great South Channel. Ongoing Current United States Coast Guard , National Marine Fisheries Service , States Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 1 4.4.4 Continue to conduct annual winter/spring surveys for right whales in Cape Cod and Massachusetts bays. Ongoing Current United States Coast Guard , National Marine Fisheries Service , States Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 1 4.4.5 Continue to conduct annual summer and fall surveys for right whales on the Scotian Shelf. Ongoing Current National Marine Fisheries Service Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 2 4.4.6 As often as possible and where feasible, photo-identification photographs should be obtained at each sighting. Ongoing Current Contractor, National Marine Fisheries Service , States Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 1 4.4.7 Conduct studies to locate heretofore unknown high-use areas for this population. Ongoing Current National Marine Fisheries Service Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 2 4.4.8 Design and conduct surveys of likely wintering areas based on results of habitat and tracking studies, historical data, and predictive models. Ongoing Current National Marine Fisheries Service Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 2 4.5 Maintain a Photo-Identification Database Ongoing Current National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 2 4.5.1 Maintain and routinely update the right whale photo-identification catalog. Ongoing Current National Marine Fisheries Service Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 2 4.5.2 Require that right whale researchers provide photographs obtained from their studies to the curators of the photo-identification catalog. Complete National Marine Fisheries Service Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 2 4.5.3 Regularly review, evaluate, and update analyses of data in the right whale photo-identification catalog. Complete National Marine Fisheries Service Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 2 4.5.4 Conduct studies to determine population structure using photo-identification data. Ongoing Current National Marine Fisheries Service Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 2 4.6 Respond to Strandings Ongoing Current FY 2012 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 1 4.6.1 Continue and improve program for necropsy of right whale carcasses Ongoing Current FY 2012 National Marine Fisheries Service , Southeastern Right Whale Recovery Plan Implementation Team, National Ocean Service, States Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 2 4.6.10 Establish reliable source(s) of funding for rescue, rehabilitation, necropsy, and tissue collection and analysis efforts. Ongoing Current National Marine Fisheries Service Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 1 4.6.2 Review and improve procedures for responding to reports of dead right whales and conducting necropsies. Ongoing Current National Marine Fisheries Service , Southeastern Right Whale Recovery Plan Implementation Team, National Ocean Service, States Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 2 4.6.3 Improve, develop and implement protocols for securing and retrieving stranded or floating right whale carcasses. Ongoing Current FY 2012 National Marine Fisheries Service , Southeastern Right Whale Recovery Plan Implementation Team, National Ocean Service, States Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 2 4.6.4 Use necropsies to determine the cause of death, and use such data to reduce mortalities. Ongoing Current FY 2012 National Marine Fisheries Service , Southeastern Right Whale Recovery Plan Implementation Team, National Ocean Service, States Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 2 4.6.5 Analyze tissue collected from stranded right whales to determine and monitor contaminant levels. Ongoing Current U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Institute of Standards and Technology, National Marine Fisheries Service Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 2 4.6.6 Analyze tissue collected from necropsies to improve knowledge about life history and reproductive parameters of right whales. Ongoing Current National Marine Fisheries Service Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 2 4.6.7 Review, analyze, and summarize data on stranded right whales on a regular basis. Ongoing Current National Marine Fisheries Service Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 1 4.6.8 Develop and implement a program for handling live-stranded right whales. Ongoing Current FY 2012 National Marine Fisheries Service Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 2 4.6.9 Develop protocols for handling live-stranded right whales, including identification of appropriate rehabilitation sites. Ongoing Current National Marine Fisheries Service Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 2 4.7 Conduct Habitat Use Studies (using telemetry) Ongoing Not Current National Marine Fisheries Service Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 1 4.7.1 Conduct radio and satellite tagging studies to increase knowledge of right whale habitat use, distribution, and habits. Ongoing Not Current National Marine Fisheries Service Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 1 4.7.2 Conduct studies to assess the most effective and least intrusive means of tagging right whales. Ongoing Current United States Navy , National Marine Fisheries Service Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 2 4.7.3 Conduct studies by veterinary experts to assess short- and long-term physiological impacts of tagging. Ongoing Current National Marine Fisheries Service Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 2 4.7.4 Continue and expand satellite-linked radio-tagging and tracking to better identify right whale movements and habitat use patterns Ongoing Current United States Navy , National Marine Fisheries Service Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 2 4.7.5 Conduct satellite tagging studies to determine routes and timing of migration between known high-use habitats Ongoing Not Current United States Navy , National Marine Fisheries Service Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 2 4.7.6 Conduct monitoring surveys to check for other right whales in the area of the tagged whale. Ongoing Not Current Contractor, National Marine Fisheries Service Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 2 4.7.7 Continue and expand VHF radio-tagging studies to better assess daily and seasonal movements in high-use areas Ongoing Current United States Navy , National Marine Fisheries Service Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 3 4.8 Assess Demography and Stock Structure Ongoing Current National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 3 4.8.1 Conduct genetic studies to assess population structure, effective population size, current and historic genetic diversity and possible impacts on health and reproductive success. Ongoing Current National Marine Fisheries Service Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 2 4.8.3 Conduct studies of population demographics. Ongoing Current National Marine Fisheries Service Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 2 4.9 Reproduction and Health Assessment Ongoing Current National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 2 4.9.1 Conduct studies to determine the causes(s) of anomalous or fluctuating reproductive rates. Ongoing Current National Marine Fisheries Service , U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Agriculture, States Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 1 4.9.2 If cause(s) of reproductive anomalies are linked to human activities, establish programs to mitigate or eliminate the sources of the impact. Ongoing Not Current United States Coast Guard , National Marine Fisheries Service , U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation, and Enforcement, U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Ocean Service, States Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 2 4.9.3 Conduct studies to assess health at the individual and population level. Ongoing Current National Marine Fisheries Service , U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Agriculture, States Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 1 4.9.4 4.9.4 Establish programs to mitigate or eliminate sources of the impact if studies indicate that poor individual or population health is linked to human activities. Ongoing Not Current United States Coast Guard , National Marine Fisheries Service , U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation, and Enforcement, U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Ocean Service, States Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 1 5.1 Continue international ban on hunting and other directed takes of right whales. Ongoing Current U.S. Department of State, National Marine Fisheries Service , International Whaling Commission Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 1 5.2 Enforce right whale protection laws. Ongoing Current United States Coast Guard , National Marine Fisheries Service Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 3 5.3 Evaluate the effectiveness of the Northeast and Southeast Implementation Teams. Complete Southeastern Right Whale Recovery Plan Implementation Team, Northeast Implementation Team for Recovery of North Atlantic Right Whale, National Marine Fisheries Service Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 1 5.4 Coordinate with States involved in right whale activities to maximize protection measures Ongoing Current Northeast Implementation Team for Recovery of North Atlantic Right Whale, National Marine Fisheries Service , Southeastern Right Whale Recovery Plan Implementation Team, States Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 1 5.5 Promote bi-lateral cooperative efforts with Canada to maximize protection for right whales. Ongoing Current U.S. Department of State, United States Coast Guard , National Marine Fisheries Service , Canada Department of Fisheries and Oceans Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 2 5.5.1 Convene regular meetings with Canadian officials to facilitate bi-lateral cooperation on protective measures. Ongoing Current U.S. Department of State, United States Coast Guard , National Marine Fisheries Service , Canada Department of Fisheries and Oceans Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 1 5.6 Periodically review and update the North Atlantic Right Whale Recovery Plan Ongoing Not Current Northeast Implementation Team for Recovery of North Atlantic Right Whale, National Marine Fisheries Service , Southeastern Right Whale Recovery Plan Implementation Team Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
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